Inside Slant 07.14.2007

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Angry Pope

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Raiders report: Inside slant

July 14, 2007

Training camp goals.

1. Make it clear who is in charge.

Coach Lane Kiffin, 32, is the youngest head coach in the modern era of the NFL. He has never been a head coach at any level. Not even a coordinator.

Since his hire, Kiffin has appeared to be decisive and in control, attributes which must continue if he is to survive and eventually thrive in an Al Davis environment.

Kiffin has an above average defense and a veteran coordinator in Rob Ryan, and must give his input and imprint without being overbearing. His biggest work comes in repairing one of the worst offenses in NFL history, along with dealing with the press and negotiating all the pitfalls of a first-year NFL head coach.

The Raiders lost their last week of their off-season program because Kiffin worked the team too hard, according to the NFLPA, but it remains to be seen whether that is a positive or negative.

2. Fix the offensive line.
Line coach Tom Cable is Oakland's biggest hire outside of new head coach Lane Kiffin. He is instituting a zone-blocking scheme with cut-blocking.

It's a radical change from the man-on-man, never-a-backward-step emphasis that was such a disaster under Art Shell and co-coaches Irv Eatman and Jackie Slater.

If Cable can make Robert Gallery anything approximating the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft, emphasizing quickness and explosion, and do the same with Jake Grove, taken in the second round that year, Oakland's offense is suddenly viable.

Cooper Carlisle, a veteran from the Broncos, was imported to help teach the scheme, as was Jeremy Newberry, who played for Cable at California and cut-blocking guru Bobb McKittrick in San Francisco.

3. Stop the run.

The Raiders ranked No. 1 against the pass and No. 25 against the run. Game circumstances dictated a lot of that, but it's clear runners too often had their way attacking the Raiders.

Some of it had to do with Oakland's inability to move the ball, but it's clear the Raiders need to be better.

Playing in a division with LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, plus perennially tough Denver, makes it imperative Oakland upgrade its defense against the run.

The Raiders re-signed their top free agent, defensive tackle Terdell Sands, to a lucrative contract largely for that reason. They also made a late acquisition in Donovin Darius, a safety who specializes in being tough and playing the run.


CAMP CALENDAR

Players report to Napa Valley Marriott July 26. First practice July 27. Camp closed except to invited guests. No fan days or scrimmages with opposing teams scheduled. Camp closes August 17.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK

Starter -- Josh McCown. Backups -- Josh Booty, JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Otis, Andrew Walter.

The future is Russell, but the Raiders signed McCown for a reason -- to serve as a Jon Kitna-like starter while Russell sits and watches like Carson Palmer until he is ready to play. In the case of Kitna with Cincinnati, the Bengals surprisingly stayed in the playoff chase until late and Palmer got a whole year to wait and watch. Chances are it won't happen that way with the Raiders, but the idea is to be patient with Russell. Considering Oakland's developing offensive line and Russell's worth, it would be an upset if he started before Week 4. Walter's best chance is to resurrect his career with another team, but he's likely destined to be No. 3 this year with the Raiders.

RUNNING BACKS

Starters -- RB LaMont Jordan, FB Justin Griffith. Backups -- Curtis Brown, Michael Bush, Zack Crockett, Adimchinobe Echemandu, Justin Fargas, FB Tony Jackson, ReShard Lee, FB Oren O'Neil, Dominic Rhodes.

Jordan came to Oakland hoping to prove he could carry the load as a lead back after caddying for Curtis Martin. It hasn't happened. The Raiders will look to disperse the touches under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Jordan will get the bulk of the carries early while free agent Rhodes serves his four-game suspension, and Rhodes will have to be sensational to get the majority of the work when he returns. Griffith was signed as a pass-catching fullback who will occasionally run from scrimmage. Fargas had a career-best 659 yards last season but will be hard-pressed to get serious playing time. Crockett, Mr. Reliable since 1999, has a fight on his hands to make the roster. O'Neal's skills as a block-and-catch fullback of the future are intriguing.

TIGHT ENDS

Starter -- Courtney Anderson. Backups -- James Adkisson, John Madsen, Zach Miller, Tony Stewart, Fred Wakefield, Randal Williams.

Anderson will likely be given the veteran's benefit of the doubt and open camp as the starter, but chances are Miller, the rookie from Arizona State, will be the starter in Week 1. He could give the Raiders the most reliable target over the middle since Todd Christensen if all goes as planned. Adkisson, Madsen and Williams are all converted wide receivers, with Madsen having the best skill set and most likely to stick. Wakefield is essentially a tackle playing tight end, the best blocker of the bunch. Stewart has experience, but injuries have been a concern.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Starters -- Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry. Backups -- Will Buchanon, Carlos Francis, Doug Gabriel, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Johnathan Holland, Chris McFoy, Johnnie Morant, Rich Parson, Travis Taylor, Alvis Whitted, Lauren Williams, Mike Williams.

Porter has made a career of falling in and out of favor with various coaching staffs. He claims to love Kiffin and Co., and the feeling for the moment is mutual. If his physical and mental health hold up, he should be the feature receiver. Curry remains the most reliable third-down target, a player of size, skill and resiliency who must be watched closely after two Achilles' tears. The reserves are a jumble, with Gabriel, veteran Taylor, and rookie Higgins looking like the most likely survivors. Morant, a preseason star last year, has yet to take the next step.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters -- LT Barry Sims, LG Paul McQuistan, C Jake Grove, RG Cooper Carlisle, RT Robert Gallery. Backups - G Kevin Boothe, G Ben Claxton, T Cornell Green, T Mario Henderson, C Chris Morris, C Jeremy Newberry, T Chad Slaughter, Albert Toeaina, C Adam Treu, T Mark Wilson.

The starters seem fairly clear, but the question is where they'll line up. Sims has been at left and right tackle, Gallery at both tackle spots and left guard. Grove is seen as a natural for the zone blocking scheme of Tom Cable. Carlisle was imported from Denver specifically because of his skill in that system. Newberry is attempting a comeback after microfracture surgery and in the unlikely event he survives training camp playing well, could start at either center or guard. Boothe was last season's pleasant surprise at guard and could challenge again. McQuistan is another player who could start at either guard or tackle.

cont'd...
 
cont'd...

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters -- DE Derrick Burgess, DT Warren Sapp, DT Terdell Sands, DE Kevin Huntley. Backups - E Tyler Brayton, T Anttaj Hawthorne, T Tommy Kelly, E Quintin Moses, E Jay Richardson, T Josh Shaw, T Lauvale Sape, E Dave Tollefson.

Burgess is one of the NFL's premiere sack artists and his pressure is huge to the effectiveness of the secondary. Sapp startled everyone by showing up 49 pounds lighter at 285 during the mandatory minicamp and had 10 sacks last season. Sands was re-signed to a four-year contract to be the primary run-stuffer. The other linemen will be rotated around and among those three players, with the goal of keeping the big trio fresh. Huntley showed flashes as a rush end and Moses could mount a challenge to start. Brayton's non-stop hustle has not translated into production. It's time for Kelly to either take the next step and be a consistent player or be classified as a tease.

LINEBACKERS

Starters -- WLB Thomas Howard, MLB Kirk Morrison, SLB Sam Williams. Backups - OLB Ricky Brown, Chris Clemons, Ricardo Dickerson, OLB Isaiah Ekejiuba, Isaiah Kacyvenski, J.J. Milan, Kyle Shotwell, MLB Robert Thomas, Jon Condo.

Howard, a 16-game starter as a rookie on the weak side, and Morrison, who moved into the middle last season in his second season, give the Raiders their most active and athletic linebacking since they moved back to Oakland in 1995. Neither is overly big, however, and concerns about their run defense remain. Williams managed to stay healthy for the first time and showed some flashes, but was actually outplayed by Thomas, a veteran and former first-round draft pick. Kacyvenski can play both linebacker and be a special teams standout, but Ekejiuba is primarily a wedge-buster.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Starters -- CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Fabian Washington, SS Michael Huff, FS Stuart Schweigert. Backups - S Darnell Bing, CB John Bowie, S Colin Branch, CB Chris Carr, CB Marquice Cole, S Jarrod Cooper, S Donovin Darius, S Hiram Eugene, S Eric Frampton, CB Chris Johnson, CB Stanford Routt, CB Levonne Rowan, CB Duane Starks, S B.J. Ward.

Asomugha had a breakout year in 2006 and was one of the NFL's top corners in every area. Washington is further along in his third year than Asomugha, and if his learning curve is similar, the Raiders have one of the NFL's top corner tandems. Routt is being counted on to emerge as a nickel corner. Bowie was considered a reach by many, but so was Asomugha in 2002. Safety is a mystery at this point. Huff, the No. 7 overall pick last season, had a solid season at strong safety but has the build and ball skills of a free a safety. If that is his destiny, does Schweigert become a strong safety and compete with free agent acquisitions Darius, Branch and second-year man Bing? It's one of the competition areas Kiffin and Co. will watch closely.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Sebastian Janikowski, P Shane Lechler, LS Adam Treu, KR Chris Carr.

Janikowski and Lechler are entrenched as the kicker and punter, essentially running unopposed. Treu's job as a long-snapper could be in jeopardy, as could his status as the longest tenured Raider (1997), with Chris Morris and Jon Condo on the roster. Carr returned both kickoffs and punts for the last two seasons, but there are indications the Raiders would love to see Higgins, a third-round pick from Texas-El Paso, assume at least one of those jobs.

--Safety Donovin Darius realizes he was sought for his leadership and experience as for his ability as a player. He joins three promising former first-round draft picks in cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington and safety Michael Huff.

His message to his new teammates?

"If I bring my knowledge, my experience, my heart, my desire and you bring the same thing we can bring accountability and do some great things," Darius told Sirius Satellite Radio. "I think the sky is the limit for us. The rankings and stats can be overrated but I think when we do things productively and we buy into the system I think great things can happen for us."

--Raiders offensive lineman Robert Gallery took a break from training in Alameda to attend a youth sports camp he helps put on with San Diego Chargers kicker and fellow Iowa alum Nate Kaeding.

Taking heat for being a bust as the second overall pick in the 2004 draft, he found some sympathetic faces among his college teammates, who know all about the revolving door of coaches Gallery has had at his position.

"What it comes down to is you need to find a groove," former Iowa guard Mike Goff told the Iowa Press-Citizen. "I think he's just kind of stuck in a rut right now where so many different people have told him what's going on and how they want it done. You've got some coaches who accept how you play, and some coaches who only want you to play how they want you to do it. I think if he's given free rein to do what he wants or how he did it at Iowa, he's going to be fine."

--Isaiah Kacyvenski signed a one-year contract at the veteran minimum of $720,000 to play linebacker and help on special teams. Kacyvenski worked with the Raiders on a tryout basis through a voluntary minicamp -- practices that were so intense Oakland was forced to surrender the last week of its weight training program because the NFLPA decreed there was too much contact.

"(Lane Kiffin) wanted guys around who practice and play like me," Kacyvenski told the Press and Sun-Bulletin of Greater Binghamton, N.Y. "Desire, passion and not giving up."

--Bryant McNeal is the latest evidence that the Raiders will put up with bad boys, but only if they can play.

McNeal, a defensive end who remained on the fringes of the Raiders roster last season, was a familiar face around mandatory and voluntary minicamps and he worked to earn a place on the 2007 roster.

That ended following his arrest on an outstanding warrant in South Carolina. McNeal, 27, was sought for selling an SUV to a pawnbroker when he didn't own it, and also allegedly wrote a check for dental work in Florida.

The Raiders waived him.

QUOTE TO NOTE

"When I came into town, Jack Tatum and Willie Brown met me at the airport and they said, 'Listen Donovin, we don't just come out for anybody.'" -- Donovin Darius to Sirius Satellite Radio on his greeting in Oakland during his free-agent visit.
 
Oakland Raiders

• Location: Napa Valley Marriott, Napa, Calif.
• Camp dates: July 27-Aug. 17 (Closed to public)


• What John Clayton says: The Raiders have the best training camp setup in football, but fans aren't allowed to watch practice. The Raiders summer home is the Napa Marriott. There is wine tasting in the afternoon, but players obviously don't involve themselves there. The rooms are luxury, five-star quality, with movies on demand. There is an open weight room that players use after practice that also is not available to the public.

• What to do besides training camp: The Raiders could not have picked a better location to hold their training camp each year. The second-most popular tourist destination in California (behind Disneyland), Napa Valley is famous for its wine industry, as the region features some of the most world-renowned wineries. As expected, there are many wine-tasting and wine-tour options to choose from, one of the most enjoyable being a hot-air balloon ride. The Napa Valley Casino is not far from the practice facility. The area also is considered one of the most beautiful golfing destinations on the planet, with a number of public and private courses available.
 
"When I came into town, Jack Tatum and Willie Brown met me at the airport and they said, 'Listen Donovin, we don't just come out for anybody.'" -- Donovin Darius to Sirius Satellite Radio on his greeting in Oakland during his free-agent visit.
Click to expand...

I liked this one.
 
Raiders '07 preview

Steve Corkran
July 14, 2007

The Raiders once boasted of being the Team of the Decades. Now, they are desperate to avoid being labeled the Team of the Decayed. Such is the challenge facing first-time coach Lane Kiffin as he takes over a team that went to the Super Bowl after the 2002 season but has lost more games than any other team in the four seasons since then.

Kiffin overhauled predecessor Art Shell's coaching staff, installed his version of the West Coast offense and welcomed a potential franchise quarterback in JaMarcus Russell. He also has challenged his players to join him on a quest to prove a 32-year-old is capable of succeeding as an NFL coach and that the Raiders are capable of restoring the glory they once accepted as the norm.

To help the incumbents try to do that, the Raiders selected Russell with the first pick of the draft and tight end Zach Miller in the second round. They added several more players to an offense that scored a league-worst 12 touchdowns and allowed a league-worst 72 sacks last season. But getting the offense to be as productive as the defense, which ranked third in fewest yards allowed in '06, will take more than new personnel – it's going to take a new attitude.

"You need your players to understand how you're getting them better. I'm not going to be a sit-back head coach. I'm going to be in the middle of it," Kiffin says.

GAME PLAN

Offense: Kiffin and his run-minded coordinator, Greg Knapp, envision an offense designed around two backs sharing the load. However, newcomer Dominic Rhodes will miss the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. That should give the team even more opportunities to use strong-armed quarterbacks Russell and Andrew Walter to stretch the field with deep throws. The tight ends and fullbacks also will play a key role in the passing game. New line coach Tom Cable has implemented a zone-blocking scheme – similar to the one used by the Broncos – in an effort to get more production out of the line, which underachieved last season.

Defense: Coordinator Rob Ryan relies more on the talent of his players than X's and O's. His excellent cornerbacks, Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington, have key roles. They play man-to-man, freeing the safeties – which includes late-offseason pickup Donovin Darius – to provide support against the run and in coverage elsewhere. Ryan also places a huge premium on his linemen getting pressure on a consistent basis so he doesn't have to rely too much on blitzes.

SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS

Quarterback TBA: Kiffin is confident that changes in the system, including using the rollout as a staple, will enable Russell, Walter or Josh McCown to succeed. Russell will be given a chance to earn the starting job, but he figures to need some time to adjust to the nuances of the NFL. Russell's arm strength is unmatched, and he has the size to fend off even the biggest defenders. He needs to cut down on his mental mistakes and avoid forcing the ball into tight spots. Walter or McCown could begin the season as the starter, but Kiffin won't wait long before turning to Russell, especially if the other two falter. Walter has above-average arm strength and a good feel for the game but takes too many sacks and commits turnovers in critical situations. McCown compensates for his lack of arm strength by being accurate and smart. Quarterback is a huge question mark entering the season.

RB LaMont Jordan: The ineffectiveness, inconsistency and injuries that punctuated incumbent starter LaMont Jordan's first two seasons with the Raiders prompted the team to pounce on free agent Rhodes and draft Michael Bush. The coaches say Jordan can improve the 3.8-yard average he had in each of his first two years with the team. He has decent speed and solid hands. The Raiders are counting on the addition of Rhodes and the new system to spark Jordan. Both veterans are accustomed to playing complementary roles, so sharing the workload shouldn't pose a problem.

OT Robert Gallery: Four of the five linemen return from a disappointing unit. Team officials blamed the unit's poor play on the blocking scheme, saying the players are talented enough to succeed in the right system – Cable's zone-blocking scheme. The players won't be expected to hold their blocks as long, which could make them more productive. Gallery struggled in his first season at left tackle and now faces the prospect of losing his job to the man he replaced, Barry Sims. If so, look for Gallery to move back to the right side, the spot he occupied his first two NFL seasons. Both Gallery and Sims are solid, but neither is dominant.

CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington: Asomugha and Washington have developed into one of the top cornerback combinations in the league. Their play is critical to the overall success of Oakland's defense because Ryan likes to use safeties Stuart Schweigert and Michael Huff in other capacities. With Asomugha and Washington on the corners, Ryan can do that without fear of it leaving the team vulnerable to big plays.

VINNIE IYER'S TAKE

Considering the youth of Kiffin and Russell, Raider Nation must show great patience with the offense while expecting more good play from the defense.
Prediction: 3-13 (fourth in the AFC West).

FALL FORECAST

The Raiders haven't won more than five games since 2002. They haven't won a division game since 2004. They play in one of the league's toughest divisions, which features teams that appear to be at least as strong as last season. The Raiders' season-opening quarterback won't be the one who was there last year, and he might not even be the same guy who is starting at the end of the season.

That only scratches the surface of the challenge Kiffin faces – and doesn't take into account the pressure of working for hands-on owner/GM Al Davis. Don't count on a Saints-like worst-to-first season, but this team can't help but be better than last year's 2-14.
 
We are going to win more than 3 games this year. I dont expect anybody who works as a writer to put his-her neck on the line predicting much. I actually think we can win around 5 games or more. We have a few teams who are terrible on the schedule.
 
Who wrote that first Inside Report? It was good, much better than I'm used to seeing from Corkran if that was his...


Corkran said:
Defense: Coordinator Rob Ryan relies more on the talent of his players than X's and O's. His excellent cornerbacks, Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington, have key roles. They play man-to-man, freeing the safeties – which includes late-offseason pickup Donovin Darius – to provide support against the run and in coverage elsewhere. Ryan also places a huge premium on his linemen getting pressure on a consistent basis so he doesn't have to rely too much on blitzes.
Click to expand...


I disagree... It's always been AL'S premium to get pressure without blitzing... Ryan probably came out of the womb designing blitz packages... I for one, hope Rob let's loose more this season...
 
Teams looking to improve rosters must not rest

Pat Kirwan

(July 14, 2007) -- Camps are still a few weeks away from opening, but there is still work to be done in front offices around the league -- especially for the personnel people -- to complete a productive summer.

I was asked the other day if the front-office executives and personnel directors get some time off when they get the rookies signed later this month. The answer is no, and in fact, they are already preparing for their summer assignments.


Several NFL teams will take a close look at Bruce Gradkowski in case Tampa Bay is willing to trade him.
The truth is, there isn't enough time in the day to do the job the right way.

After a short rest, most management people are back in the office planning their summer preseason work schedule and watching tons of videotape trying to get a full grip on the depth charts and personnel around the league. There's 32 teams with an average of 85 players on a roster -- that's a big job.

The spring-training sessions for their own teams gave them a glimpse at where the strengths and weaknesses are on their own rosters. At this point, they are anticipating some problem areas and possibly some quality depth areas at each position.

There will be ongoing conversations with their counterparts around the league in order to determine if their needs and strengths can align with another team to facilitate a trade, or at least anticipate where a player worth claiming or signing might be released in August.

Often a college scouting director will bring his college grades on every player on a roster down to the pro personnel director's office to compare them with the pro grades on a roster to determine if a certain team has a quality player deeper on their depth chart than he would be on their depth chart. For example, is there a running back sitting fourth on someone else's roster who would be second or third on your roster?

Not many teams have exceptional depth anymore, but there are a few places that appear to be interesting to say the least. Those are the rosters front-office people should study, and those are the teams they should call in case there could be some interest for a transaction later in August.

Typically, your head coach will identify position where he is concerned he might not have enough talent to get through the season, and might identify a position where he has an extra player. Then the front-office staff will look for a match with another franchise that might have the opposite problem.

The general manager will then make a call and suggest his team would like to know if there's a chance a player or two at a certain position who could be available later in camp. If the answer is yes, we would consider moving a guy.

Then a plan is put together to attend or watch all the preseason games in order to evaluate the potential players. Repeat the process with five or six teams, and you have a full summer schedule of players to evaluate.


Artose Pinner might be available now that the Vikings are investing in Adrian Peterson.

Of course, these conversations are very private, because the last thing a GM wants is to have a player find out he's being "shopped around." What if a critical injury happens at that position and all bets are off on a trade or a release? What if the player has an exceptional camp and the team has a change of heart? It's delicate, to say the least, but it's going on every day around the NFL.

The one thing that's obvious to do is look at rosters and depth charts and see where there might be some quality depth, and try and figure out where there might be some possible interest. There aren't many trades in August -- especially player for player, and there are a few player-for-draft-pick trades -- but that's not a reason not to study every roster just in case. Consequently, a good personnel person or GM is studying the "big board" looking for the one player of the approximate 2,900 in camps who could help.

After the first scan of the 32 depth charts, it appears there are a few teams with some depth. They would be the first place I would start with an in-depth study just in case they would be willing to part with a player later in camp.

1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS -- The depth at running back is intriguing. The addition of first-round selection Adrian Peterson to go along with Chester Taylor gives them a great one-two punch, but how much can Mewelde Moore or Ciatrick Fason or even Artose Pinner figure into their plans? Barring injury, one or even two of these backs could be available. That means any team looking for a back will be at Minnesota's preseason games.

2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -- If Donovan McNabb is ready to go -- and all signs point toward that being the case -- then the Eagles could have one too many signal callers when August rolls around. There's no doubt teams will inquire about Kelly Holcomb after they finish up breaking down all the film they have from his Buffalo days and this preseason.

3. TAMPA BAY -- A bit of a long shot here, but if Jake Plummer, who is on the Bucs' salary-cap books, ever decides to show up, then QB is a stocked position with Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski and Luke McCown.

4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -- The Pats went from a team entering 2006 looking for wide receivers to being stockpiled in 2007. There's no chance they can keep all of them on the roster after the offseason acquisitions of Wes Welker and Randy Moss. I would think GM Scott Pioli has already had a few inquiries about which receivers could come free near the end of camp. There are a few teams around the NFL that will look at guys like Reche Caldwell and know they are an upgrade over their own No. 4 or No. 5 receivers.

5. OAKLAND RAIDERS -- With the addition of Donovan Darius to the safety group, there is a chance a young safety will come free at the end of camp. Darnell Bing and Jarod Cooper sit behind three veterans and draft pick Eric Frampton, so it is important to watch their play during the summer.

Of course, there are always a few developments on other depth charts, but at least you have an idea of how a personnel department might target a few teams.

Front-office people are studying high-priced players who might not make the final cuts because of money. This group could be upward of 100 players. When they get released, a team has a brief window of opportunity to react.

Making sure all the 2006 video is evaluated and that a team representative is at the preseason games to evaluate the 2007 information is a big job with a lot of man hours consumed -- just in case there is one guy who can help build your roster. If the leg work isn't being done now, then the reaction time come late August will be too slow.

The smart teams are working overtime right now just to get ready.
 
Camp memories

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Some of the former Longhorns providing instruction at the Austin Pro Experience Football Camp this weekend shared the best advice they had received:

'Just go out there and trust your skills. When it comes down to it and you're out there, you've got to trust your instincts.'


— Michael Huff

(Oakland Raiders)
 
Saturday, July 14, 2007

Off-season grades

Since the draft is over and the major moves have been made, here are my draft/off-season move grades. I'm ordering each team in their division based on where I think the best and worst teams slot if the season started today. Also check back for an upcoming post on NFL rivalries.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys - Grade A

In the 2007 Draft, Dallas traded with the Browns and got the Browns 1st round pick in 2008. Jerry Jones has already started contract negotiations with this yrs Heisman trophy winner Steve Slaton for his open RB spot. Dallas also got DE Anthony Spencer, some Offensive Lineman and a possible backup QB. I'm not sure Brad Johnson is the answer at backup QB.

NY Giants - Grade B-

Getting RB Reuben Droughns was a good move and the Giants had a decent draft, but they didn't add any depth at the much needed LB position. We'll see if Mathias Kiwanuka works out in the move to LB.

Philadelphia Eagles - Grade B-

The Eagles definitely made some controversial decisions with the first pick in their draft. First, they traded their pick with division rival Dallas so the Cowboys could take DE Anthony Spencer. Then the Eagles took a QB. Donovan McNabb, already smarting from Jeff Garcia saving the Eagles season is feeling even more left out in the cold. I never think the Eagles have enough good WR's. Kevin Curtis will help. Takeo Spikes will also help at LB. I think this season comes down to one guy - Brian Westbrook.

Washington Redskins - Grade B

The Redskins are a big question mark. It looks like they helped upgrade the defense with the addition of London Fletcher and H.B. Blades at LB along with CB Fred Smoot and S Laron Landry. The defensive line is still pedestrian. It all comes down to QB Jason Campbell since its clear Clinton Portis' best days are behind him.

NFC North

Chicago Bears - Grade C+

The Bears are still atop the leagues worst division. The problem is they traded the wrong guy. They should have dumped disgruntled linebacker Lance Briggs instead of RB Thomas Jones. Instead Chicago is betting the farm on unproven RB Cedric Benson. The Greg Olsen pick is looking smart right now. One would think that the league will have a better strategy for Devin Hester, who was the under-rated Bears MVP last season. Also here is a dumb question, I'm not sure which is the better Gator QB on the Bears, Rex Grossman or Chris Leak.

Green Bay Packers - Grade C+

Brett Favre public push for Randy Moss made news, but who is the Packers Running Back? The Pack selected Brandon Jackson, but he wasn't rated as a blue chip RB. He looks like a good RB, but not a 1st string Running Back. No one else on the Packers roster is a 1st string RB either. TE Bubba Franks has been invisible with zero TD;s last yr. My sleeper for the Packers this season is Virginia Tech WR David Clowney. A small guy but always makes the catch. I guess I now see why Farve wanted Randy Moss, not many big guys in the Packers Receiving corps.

Detroit Lions - Grade C

Haven't we seen this movie before? The Lions draft a top flight receiver. I think Calvin Johnson will be a great player, but the Lions already have a franchise receiver in Roy Williams. John Kitna is going to see a lot of blitzes this year. I think the Lions will lose again this season. It will give them a chance to draft good Offensive Lineman next season.

Minnesota Vikings - Grade D

Its one thing to go into a season without a 1st string RB (like the Packers are), but its quite another to go into a season without a 1st or 2nd string QB. Here are a list of names: Tavaris Jackson, Brooks Bollinger, Drew Henson, Tyler Thigpen. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I even see a 3rd string QB on this list. I hope Tavaris Jackson proves me wrong, but in my view the Vikings don't have an NFL QB right now. I like Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor at RB. Maybe the Vikings should get Eric Crouch out of the CFL and run the wishbone offense. This is a joke. Maybe its part of a grand plan to stink things up to make it easier to move to LA.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints - Grade B

The Saints look like they have one of the more dubious 1st Round picks with questions surrounding injured WR Robert Meachem. However, the Saints still look like they have the inside track on the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers - Grade A

The Panthers were a major disappointment in 2006. A lot of people (me included) thought they were Super Bowl bound after making the NFC Championship in 2005. Jake Delhomme was lost without Steve Smith. The addition of David Carr was smart along with a lot of big names in the draft such as LB Jon Beason, WR Dwayne Jarrett, C Ryan Kalil and DE Charles Johnson. Those could be 4 starters in Week 1.

Atlanta Falcons - Grade C

I was thinking a few months ago that it might make sense for the Falcons to trade Vick to the Raiders for the rights to Calvin Johnson. Vick wouldn't draw a 2nd round pick at this point. Obviously trading Matt Schaub doesn't look good right now. Also, when Joe Horn is your best WR, you're in trouble. The Falcons never seem like they have the WRs to get it done. Their defense and running game are good so the Falcons should be ok despite all the negative pub.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Grade B

The Bucs were smart to sign QB Jeff Garcia. He has lived the West Coast offense his entire career. He took the downward spiraling Eagles last year and made them a winner. I'm not sure if the Bucs Offense has enough tools with a suspect group of Receivers and one dimensional running back. It doesn't get better at TE with the Bucs adding Jeremy Stevens. On Defense, Gaines Adams is a nice add, but the Bucs are getting old on Defense. This could be Gruden's last year. There will be an opening in Cleveland if he's interested.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks - Grade B

I think the Seahawks hit some bad luck last yr with injuries to Alexander and Hasselbeck. The Seahawks didn't panic and they brought in a few good Free Agents like Patrick Kearney.

St. Louis Rams - Grade B-

I wasn't overwhelmed with the Rams draft, but they still have good players at the skill positions in Bulger, Jackson and Holt. Rams are getting a little old at WR, but they should be in contention for a playoff spot.

San Francisco 49ers - Grade A

Everyone says this team is ready to break out. I liked their draft with LB Patrick Willis and OT Joe Staley. CB Nate Clements will get the job done as well. I was high on TE Vernon Davis, but was a little disappointed in his 2006 campaign. The 49ers have the talent, but Mike Nolan's team has to get it done on the field (tried to be as cliche as possible there).

Arizona Cardinals - Grade A

Speaking of needing to get it done on the field. I really like the Arizona draft with OT Levi Brown, DT Alan Branch who somehow slid to the 2nd round, and high energy Buster Davis in the 3rd. The question mark is Edgerrin James who had a terrible season in 06.

cont'd..
 
cont'd...


AFC East

New England Patriots - Grade B

New England has made some big offseason moves: signing Adalius Thomas and Donte Stallworth and then trading for Randy Moss andWes Welker. Here is the thing, don't the Patriots have one too many receivers? Moss and Stallworth are talented but haven't been the picture of consistency in their careers. The other story is that New England's running game will fall completely on the shoulders of Laurence Maroney this season. The problem is Maroney had off-season shoulder surgery and may take time to recover. The Defensive Backfield is also suspect with the Asante Samuel hold-out and the 1st round addition of Brandon Merriweather with the Miami Hurricane on field brawling under his belt.

NY Jets - Grade A

The Jets got a steal in getting Thomas Jones from the Bears. Also liked the Draft picks of CB Revis and LB Harris.

Buffalo Bills - Grade B

The Bills normally have a quiet off-season with a more thrifty approach to payroll. As expected, the Bills lost in-demand free agents in Nate Clements and London Fletcher. The Bills made a splash of their own by signing G Derrick Dockery and T Langston Walker. The Bills also had to cut ties with Willis McGahee with an impending contract impasse on the horizon (Drew Rosenhaus is Willis' agent) and after Willis said it would be ok to move the team to Toronto. The Bills also moved Takeo Spikes and Kelly Holcomb to Philly for DT Darwin Walker and a 7th Round pick. Darwin Walker wants his contract re-worked so it looks like he will be returning to Philly for a 6th round pick. The Bills had to take Marshawn Lynch in Round 1 and might find that it works out for them since Lynch is a well rounded offensive player. The Poz was a good pickup in Round 2. The Bills could have used CB help in Round 3 (read Daymeion Hughes), but they took QB Trent Edwards. Now the Bills have 3 young QBs.

Miami Dolphins - Grade B-

To quote Jason Taylor the Dolphins are like "scrambled eggs." Jason was referring to what might happen to Trent Green if he takes another hit, but the quote seems apropos for the Dolphins as well. We'll see how Brady Quinn does in Cleveland, but clearly a lot of NFL teams felt the same way in passing on Quinn. The Dolphins still have a shaky O-line and have done little to address it.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens - Grade B-

I have always been guilty of thinking the Ravens were over-rated. Under Brian Billick the Ravens have made the playoffs a lot, but then tank except when Marvin Lewis' Defense single handedly won the Super Bowl. Anyway I digress. Speaking of over-rated: Jamal Lewis. Letting him go to Cleveland was a good move. Willis McGahee clearly wanted out of Buffalo and the Ravens made the right move to get a starter at RB. Ravens gave up a 3rd and 7th Round in 07 and a 3rd Round in 08. The Bills and McGahee had trouble in the Red zone and in short yardage, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Also, Steve McNair's throws looked like they were barely making it to his mediocre Ravens Receivers, but he seems to find a way to win. Indy might have shown how you play the Ravens though: put everyone in the box and make McNair throw downfield. The Ravens Offense is a career ending proposition. No one is talking about Jim Fassell as a head coach now are they? The Ravens D always gets it done however. I don't know much about the Ravens draft picks, didn't seem like they got any super-stars.

Cincinnati Bengals - Grade B

Word is that Marvin Lewis is on the hot seat, but he will be fine. Controversy swirls around the Bengals off-season rap sheets but 2007 is a new season and lets face it, unless you are Pac-man Jones, or hosting dog fighting matches, NFL fans just care about wins. Carson Palmer is healthy with a great receiving corps. I like the CB Leon Hall pick in the first round, but think RB Kenny Irons in the 2nd round was a reach.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Grade B-

I saw Big Ben play in College and I was impressed, but I think he has plateaued. Word is that Ben is last on the field and first off. Doesn't sound like a Canton bound attitude. I think a lot will depend on fast Willie Parker this year. I like the Lawrence Timmons pick in the first round. Like the Ravens, it all comes down to defense and running game. Coach Mike Tomlin comes in with high expectations and not as much talent as Cowher had and thats not a good combo.

Cleveland Browns - Grade D

The Browns did well to get O-line help with Joe Thomas. The things start to slide downhill. Yeah Brady Quinn slid to pick 22, but they had to give up a 2008 1st round pick. If you look at the Browns talent level, that 1st round pick they gave the Cowboys will probably be the No 1 or 2 pick overall. I'm not sure Brady Quinn is worth next yr's No. 1 pick Isn't Brian Brohm better than Brady Quinn? Also the addition of Jamal Lewis is a dreadful move. I just don't think he is an every down back. The Browns will miss Reuben Droughns, who was traded to the Giants. The Browns should start to think about bringing in John Gruden next season or Marvin Lewis if the Bengals are dumb enough to let him go.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts - Grade B+

The Colts lost a few free agents, but they kept the core talent intact. Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne will have large seasons this year. I also like Indy's draft picks with Gonzalez, Ugoh and Hughes.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Grade B

The Jags always seem to tank at the end of the season, but you can tell that no one like to play them. They beat up on opponents, especially at home. Their draft was ok, but their real strength is the Running game and the Defense. I liked Donovin Darius and think he will have a good season for the Raiders after being released by the Jags.

Tennessee Titans - Grade D

The Titans were on fire at the end of '06. Nobody wanted to play them and Vince Young was unstoppable. On such a high note, the Titans went and totally screwed the pooch and alowed premier RB Travis Henry to go to Denver. Who do the Titans have at RB? Underachiever Lendale White, washed up Chris Brown and workout wonder rookie Chris Henry who put up not even mediocre stats in College. The Titans also let their good receivers walk (Bennett, Wade). If I play Tennessee this year, I completely shadow Vince Young and let the rest of the team try and beat you.

Houston Texans - Grade B-

I think Ahman Green was real good in 2003, but not sure he is a starter in 2007. Look for Wali Lundy to get a lot of carries this year. The Schaub trade was good. David Carr needed a change of scenery. This team is still a year away at least.

AFC West

San Diego Chargers - Grade B

I don't think the Chargers messed up in signing Norv Turner. Marty Schottenheimer seems to get out-coached in the playoffs. Norv is not an in your face fiery leader, but Norv doesn't need to be. He just needs to keep this talented team moving ahead. The offense is again thin at WR, but LT and Antonio Gates will pick up the slack.

Denver Broncos - Grade A

Mike Shanahan continues to prove how good he is in the front office. Picking up RB Travis Henry deserves lots of praise. Jay Cutler seems to be coming along. Dre Bly is also a good addition at Cornerback this season as well. If Shanahan would only stop trying to add D-Lineman from the Browns, he would be even better.

Kansas City Chiefs - Grade B

Yes the Chiefs held out and made Miami give up a 5th Round pick for Trent Green, but was worth all of the turmoil when they could have gotten a 6th rounder four months earlier? The Chiefs were smart to take a WR in a deep draft.

Oakland Raiders - Grade A

The Raiders seemed to make a lot of common sense decisions in the off-season. The moved out Art Shell. The offense last year seemed like it was being run by someone who's previous job was running a bed a breakfast (its true, last year's OC was running a B&B in 2005, you can't make this stuff up). Anyway, taking Jemarcus Russell looks smart and moving Randy Moss was even smarter. The recent pick-up of Donovin Darius looks good too.
 
People need to give the team credit for bringing in Griffith, Carlisle and Newberry. Those are all vets who have played in the system and can help out bigtime. Its like having three extra guys helping the O grasp the scheme.
 
Newberry will have trouble helping on the field, but his knowledge will probably win him a roster spot, and he will be invaluable in showing guys how it's done.

I don't think people underestimate Carlisle as an addition, but he's not really a thank-god-we-got-him kind of acquisition. Regardless, he's already pencilled in as a starter, and if he somehow gets beaten out for a starting spot, we'll be doing really well.

I think Griffith is definitely underestimated as an acquisition. Crockett was decent as a lead blocker, but he was more of a stall blocker than a pancake kind of blocker. He didn't have very soft hands and didn't run routes that well, so he really doesn't fit the new scheme. Griffith does.
 
The fact Cooper Carlisle started for two years straight in Denver under the ZBS makes me excited. I would really like to see him lined up at LG next to Gallery. If Robert is going to turn it around at LT he needs a solid vet at LG who can get his back. Someone who is on the same page with him and with some games under his belt. Not Boothe or McUgly.

Gallery, Carlisle, Newb/Grove , Boothe/McUg, Simms would be my perferred slotting.
 
I think it will be hard to beat Carlisle for a starting spot unless he gets dinged up.

I think they see Henderson as the future RT so they would prefer Gallery secure the LT spot. We'll have to see how it all shakes out. McQ has the ability to play tackle, and has been working some on the left side.

Stay tuned. It looks like for once in recent memory, the best 5 guys will start on the OL.
 
I kinda agree with RM and HB on this one.

When the games start to go, I think Newberry is a gonna be hard to keep off the field.

Wouldnt suprise me in the least to see him as the starting C, and Grove playing guard.

At the very least he'll be among the first off the bench when someon struggles. (McQ, Grove, Boothe, whoever.)
 
HB, Corkran doesn't write the Inside Slant...he writes the Raiders Team Report....

Over at Raiders dot com they have the Raiders Report Show for each week if you want to watch it...

Hit it here...
 
I like a lot of the additions we made to the team

Russell, Darius, Miller, Carlisle, Newberry, McCown, Taylor, Rhodes... and thats just guys i expect to have immediate impact
 
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